While many restaurants on University Drive have closed or moved due to construction on a new high-rise, one food service outlet on the street is actually looking forward to the new complex.
Coda Babani, the 21-year-old assistant manager of the Chuckbox restaurant on University, said that he believes the restaurant is going to benefit greatly from the building of the complex.
"It's going to bring a lot more people to the area," Babani noted, adding that the construction itself is already bringing in new business.
Babani said the restaurant, which opened across from the ASU campus in 1972, has felt no pressure to move or close with the new building on its way.
"There hasn't been much of a question that we're not moving," he said. "We've been here forever and there hasn't ever been any changes [sic] to the building at all."
A smiling Babani said the only major change that has occurred in the restaurant was the purchase and installation of a new soda machine.
"Everybody knows about this place," Babani said. "It's like a tradition."
Chuckbox specializes in hamburgers with names like "The Little One" and "The Great Big One." The restaurant also serves chicken sandwiches, chili, and side items such as fried zucchini and mushrooms in addition to the traditional French fries.
A number of other restaurants on University Drive have either moved, as in the case of the soon-to-reopen sandwich shop Pita Pit, or closed, like Italian pizzeria Lorenzo's.
Others, such as the hot dog restaurant DogHouse, are clinging to life.
Some students feel that the new complex is severely impacting the small businesses which have made University Drive a popular student destination in the past.
Communication junior Jackie Kenney said she worries standalone stores like Chuckbox will suffer because of the complex.
"I'm all for the small businesses," Kenney said, adding that she felt the new complex could make student life seem less important than the influx of new money.
Babani said his only worry was that the sleek new business and condominium complex would cause the old Chuckbox building, which resembles a log cabin, to appear ungainly.
"It's going to make our building look ridiculous," Babani said with a laugh.
Even though the high-rise will dwarf its new neighbor, Babani said he was excited for the new complex to be built.
"I think it's going to be cool when the buildings are here," Babani said.
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